REVIEW ARTICLE Cellular response to force application at craniofacial sutures SM Alaqeel RJ Hinton LA Opperman Authors' affiliations: Samer M. Alaqeel, Robert J. Hinton, Lynne A. Opperman, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Baylor College of Dentistry, Texas A&M University System Health Science Center, Dallas, TX, USA Correspondence to: Lynne A. Opperman PhD Department of Biomedical Sciences Baylor College of Dentistry Texas A&M University System Health Science Center PO Box 660677, Dallas, TX 75266-0677, USA Tel.: +1 214-828-8134 Fax: +1 214-828-8951 E-mail: lopperman@bcd.tamhsc.edu Structured Abstract Authors – Alaqeel SM, Hinton RJ, Opperman LA Objectives – To provide a comprehensive review of the literature describing research done on the responses of suture cells to force application in vitro and in vivo. Design and Results – This review outlines the types of forces that can be applied, methods of applying the forces, the sutures used in experiments, and the changes in morphology, molecular biology (gene and protein expression), and cell biology (proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis) in response to these forces. Conclusion – The molecular response of sutures to force needs to be further investigated as these molecules can be used to enhance the way in which craniofacial sutures respond to mechanical force during orthopedic–orthodontic treatment. Key words: cranial sutures; growth and development; growth substances; mechanical stress; mechanotransduction; orthodontics; orthopedic procedures Introduction A relationship between mechanical stress and bone formation was suggested by Julius Wolff in the late 19th century (1). His suggestions, which are known as Wolff’s law, state that bone remodels according to the mechanical demands that it has to withstand. When mechanical loads are high, bone forms and its structure remodels in ways that suit its function. The use of mechanical force to correct some dentofacial deformities was pioneered by Angle and Kingsley (2,3). Since then, it has widely been accepted that many Dates: Accepted 21 May 2006 To cite this article: Orthod Craniofacial Res 9, 2006; 111–122 Alaqeel SM, Hinton RJ, Opperman LA: Cellular response to force application at craniofacial sutures Copyright Ó 2006 The Authors. Journal compilation Ó 2006 Blackwell Munksgaard